Back in season 2, there was an uproar when Jojen and Meera Reed did not appear for Bran's storyline, they finally appeared in season 3 when it became apparent they were needed to pad out his already anemic storyline.

I think all the characters that seem to be missing , The Greyjoys, Arriene possibly Lady Stoneheart are being held back on purpose to pad future seasons, for both A) Filling out other anemic storylines and B) GRRM's long delayed backstory.

If this is the case how would it work I wonder.

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"Robert was never the same after he put on that crown. Some men are like swords, made for fighting. Hang them up and they go to rust.” -DN

Don, I assume this is a spoiler OK thread. I don't exactly have a plan on how it would work but wanted to say that I get this feeling we WILL get some of these big absentees later on. (I'm looking at you Lady Stoneheart!) And also would like to add that both producers said in one recent interview that they ARE changing the order of events. Then they completely refused to talk of LS. (I'm smelling something and it is not bullshit. ) EDIT: I'm working on a theory about Jamie/Bri/Vale/BWB/LS that ties in everything!

Indeed, whether Lady Stoneheart makes and appearance or not, it was pretty damn rude for rabid book fans to demand D&D to explain themselves. Not to mention all that waving around probably spoiled a lot of non-readers to her appearance.

I can see the Greyjoys coming in on season 6, they are kinda isolated geographically so it could work moving their story down the line ( except for Asha). But Arriene? Then actually her plotline was a bit silly, ( making Myrcella queen? Really?!) Rumors say that she is being distilled into the sand snakes, and I think it might actually work.

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"Robert was never the same after he put on that crown. Some men are like swords, made for fighting. Hang them up and they go to rust.” -DN

I don't know, leaving out the Greyjoys this season seems weak. They need to show Balons death or else the leech scene doesn't hold weight. It would be awesome if they show it as a cold open w Jaqen as the assassin. Bam. Continuity from Season 3 and a reintroduction of a character from S2 all in one scene. Then again, if I hadn't read the books, I probably would have forgot the leech scene or at least the fact that only two of the three names were dead. But still, there is hope. We lost Robb in S3 and Joff in S4 so maybe Balon is early on in S5?

They need to show Balons death or else the leech scene doesn't hold weight. It would be awesome if they show it as a cold open w Jaqen as the assassin. Bam. Continuity from Season 3 and a reintroduction of a character from S2 all in one scene.

Hmmmm....agreed, that would work rather well.

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"Robert was never the same after he put on that crown. Some men are like swords, made for fighting. Hang them up and they go to rust.” -DN

Back in season 2, there was an uproar when Jojen and Meera Reed did not appear for Bran's storyline, they finally appeared in season 3 when it became apparent they were needed to pad out his already anemic storyline.

I think all the characters that seem to be missing , The Greyjoys, Arriene possibly Lady Stoneheart are being held back on purpose to pad future seasons, for both A) Filling out other anemic storylines and B) GRRM's long delayed backstory.

If this is the case how would it work I wonder.

Still doesn't explain the absence of Arianne. If Dumb & Dumber were going to use her she would of been cast already.

Either give us the Moot this season or not. Holding back the Greyjoys for S6 makes no sense since they want to finish the show in seven seasons.

I don't know, leaving out the Greyjoys this season seems weak. They need to show Balons death or else the leech scene doesn't hold weight. It would be awesome if they show it as a cold open w Jaqen as the assassin. Bam. Continuity from Season 3 and a reintroduction of a character from S2 all in one scene. Then again, if I hadn't read the books, I probably would have forgot the leech scene or at least the fact that only two of the three names were dead. But still, there is hope. We lost Robb in S3 and Joff in S4 so maybe Balon is early on in S5?

I thought Baleon was a bigger deal than a cold open, Ry. I was thinking Maggy as an opener with Cersei having flashbacks.

I don't know, leaving out the Greyjoys this season seems weak. They need to show Balons death or else the leech scene doesn't hold weight. It would be awesome if they show it as a cold open w Jaqen as the assassin. Bam. Continuity from Season 3 and a reintroduction of a character from S2 all in one scene. Then again, if I hadn't read the books, I probably would have forgot the leech scene or at least the fact that only two of the three names were dead. But still, there is hope. We lost Robb in S3 and Joff in S4 so maybe Balon is early on in S5?

I thought Baleon was a bigger deal than a cold open, Ry. I was thinking Maggy as an opener with Cersei having flashbacks.

I can see that, but unlike the books, I do not think that introducing a new character would work in a cold opener or prologue. Showing characters that the audience clearly remembers seems much more salient and harmonious with the style of D&D. Then again, we have only had one cold opener so far, so the odds of another one is only 25%.

I can see that, but unlike the books, I do not think that introducing a new character would work in a cold opener or prologue. Showing characters that the audience clearly remembers seems much more salient and harmonious with the style of D&D. Then again, we have only had one cold opener so far, so the odds of another one is only 25%.

Weren't season 3 and 4 cold opens? Season 3 started with Sam alone in the snowstorm and season 4 started with Tywin melting down ICE.

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"Robert was never the same after he put on that crown. Some men are like swords, made for fighting. Hang them up and they go to rust.” -DN

I can see it happening for a couple of characters, tops. As for Arianne- I don't even see the need to include her at all if they cut her out of this part of the show. Trystane is already heir you know. They can easily legitimize a Sand Snake and use her instead of shoehorning Arianne after already depriving her of her best material.

The Greyjoys. Maybe, depends how they handle season 5, and what the future Greyjoy arc contains. If it's nothing important they can cut it easily. Just have Balon die and involve Yara with Stannis and that's it.

Aegon. I could see him being delayed to season 6, but they'd have to set it up properly in season 5. I think it will become apparent very early in the season whether Aegon is in or out.

Lady Stoneheart is the same deal as Aegon. They'd have toast it up. And actually, I think Stoneheart can only appear in season 5. The Jojen/Meera rule has already applied in season 4, if she doesn't appear in season 5 I doubt they'll ever bother with her. There's still a chance, however slim.